Dear Rach & Soph

Sophie Hamley
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Bestselling Australian authors Rachael Johns (The Other Bridget, The Patterson Girls) and Sophie Green (Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society, The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle) talk about writing and books and all sorts of things - and they welcome questions from other writers and readers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. How a respected journalist becomes a bestselling crime novelist - with guest Michael Brissenden

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    How a respected journalist becomes a bestselling crime novelist - with guest Michael Brissenden

    Michael Brissenden had a long career as an esteemed journalist (see bio below) and all the while was writing fiction, as we found out when we spoke to him recently. We were interested in finding out more about how he has moved from investigative journalism to writing fiction that has won him lots of new fans, as those books - the latest of which is Dust - have become bestsellers. We also found out that Michael has other creative talents! And all round it was very interesting to talk to him. His storytelling drive is immense and no doubt there will be many more novels to come. This episode was recorded a few weeks ago as we are now both writing, but we’ll have episodes for you almost until the end of the year as we banked a few.  *** ABOUT MICHAEL BRISSENDEN Michael Brissenden was a journalist and foreign correspondent with the ABC for 35 years. He was posted to Moscow, Brussels and Washington, and worked in Canberra for many years in various roles, including as the political editor for ABC-TV’s 7.30 and as a reporter with the ABC’s investigative television documentary program Four Corners. Michael has published four previous books including his highly successful 2024 release, Smoke. ABOUT DUST Lake Herrod, a once-thriving community, now lies in the shadow of a nearly dry lake. The town, like the water, is evaporating and its residents are left clinging to what little remains. When Aaron Love discovers a fresh corpse near the cracked lakebed – along with evidence his missing father is alive and linked to a web of organised crime – he is thrust into a world of deception, injustice and betrayal. With the town on the brink of collapse, Aaron and a haunted detective, Martyn Kravets, uncover a web of conspiracy that reaches far beyond the small community. For more information about Rachael Johns: https://www.rachaeljohns.com For more informationabout Sophie Green: https://sophiegreenauthor.com Subscribe on Spotify  Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  2. From emergency medicine to compelling fiction - guest Michelle Johnston

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    From emergency medicine to compelling fiction - guest Michelle Johnston

    ‘So I just get this tiny snapshot of extreme humanity at its most tempestuous or its most vulnerable almost … I obviously have had a lifetime of influence of what humans can do when they're pushed to the edge in whatever way. And that obviously has to kind of influence how I see humanity and therefore how I write characters in a way.’ Michelle Johnston is the author of THE REVISIONISTS and she is also an emergency physician, so in this me-alone episode (Rachael had lost her voice!) I had questions to ask her about the relationship between those two disciplines and also about the new novel (bio and blurb below). She had many interesting things to say, as I’m sure you’ll agree once you listen/watch! - Sophie *** ABOUT MICHELLE JOHNSTON Michelle Johnston is an author and an emergency physician. She is a Staff Specialist at the Royal Perth Hospital Emergency Department, a busy inner-city trauma centre where she works as both clinician and teacher. Michelle's first novel, Dustfall, was published by UWA Publishing in February 2018 and shortlisted for the MUD Literary Prize for a debut novel in 2019. Her second novel, Tiny Uncertain Miracles, was published by HarperCollins in 2022. Her latest novel is The Revisionists, which is an absorbing, unputdownable novel about ambition – and how we curate our own stories and rescript our memories in order to survive. ABOUT THE REVISIONISTS Upper East Side, Manhattan, 2023: Christine Campbell, former journalist, turns on the television to watch a documentary paying homage to her Pulitzer Prize–shortlisted coverage of the unrest in 1999 in the North Caucasus. She is newly widowed, wealthy and attempting to write a memoir celebrating her bold life and significant achievements in writing about the silencing of women during conflict. But truth has a way of resurfacing, even when buried deep beneath money, memory and reinvention. When Dr Frankie Pearson, Christine’s oldest – and estranged – friend, knocks on her door, the pair must reconcile their memories and come to terms with the far-reaching and disastrous decisions they both made over twenty years ago. The Revisionists examines the malleability of memory and the slippery nature of the truth – and the lengths that people will go to avoid facing both.   For more information about Rachael Johns: https://www.rachaeljohns.com For more informationabout Sophie Green: https://sophiegreenauthor.com Subscribe on Spotify  Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  3. From blogging to writing fiction - with guest Holly Brunnbauer

    ٢٧ سبتمبر

    From blogging to writing fiction - with guest Holly Brunnbauer

    This year Holly Brunnbauer released her first novel, What Did I Miss? - but it is far from her first attempt at writing (and not even her first fiction manuscript). Holly began writing in earnest when she created a blog about motherhood in Melbourne and turned it into an enterprise. That taught her about writing to an audience, and she now assists other authors in understanding how to communicate with their readers (to the point that I asked if she would consider creating a course for it). This part of her story alone would have been enough for a conversation but we got into so much more … and then Holly had questions for us. So it’s a long episode and we cover a lot (A LOT) of ground about writing, publishing and creativity. It was wonderful to meet Holly and have the chance the chat to her. Full episode out now on all podcast platforms, my YouTube and our Dear Rach & Soph Substack (links in bio).  *** ABOUT HOLLY BRUNNBAUER Holly Brunnbauer is a multi-award-winning emerging fiction author with numerous accolades in writing competitions across Australia, New Zealand and the US. Holly writes stories filled with heart, humour and hijinks. Her signature style includes a strong commercial voice, quirky cast and putting the 'com' in rom-com. She first caught the writing bug via blogging and later transitioned into copywriting. Holly’s now a sought-after virtual assistant for published and aspiring authors.  ABOUT WHAT DID I MISS? Married young. Finally divorced. Turning thirty ... Makayla has many regrets: a Chiko Roll impulse buy, not visiting the Big Pineapple and marrying her high-school dud. Now, newly divorced, determined to hold on to her independence and facing the Big Three-O, Makayla makes a list of all the things she missed out on while her friends were single and running amok in their twenties. But when her one-night stand turns up again, and a revenge plot on her ex spirals out of control, she has to decide if some things are worth missing. And if Makayla can’t sort herself out before her birthday, she might face the biggest regret of her life. A fresh and feisty romantic comedy about what happens when you meet someone special before truly knowing yourself. For more information about Rachael Johns: https://www.rachaeljohns.com For more informationabout Sophie Green: https://sophiegreenauthor.com Subscribe on Spotify  Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  4. From helping others to healing through stories - guest Renae Black

    ٢٠ سبتمبر

    From helping others to healing through stories - guest Renae Black

    Renae Black (bio below) was a guest on the first season of Dear Rach & Soph, and at that time we talked about whether or not she needed a literary agent. This time around, we wanted to talk to Renae about how her work in child protection has influenced the stories she writes, including her latest, Second Chance Station. What followed was a discussion in which Renae not only talked about the sorts of stories she wants to tell but also of how writing fiction helped her manage postnatal anxiety after the birth of her second child. While her world felt so out of control, she told us, she could control the worlds she was creating in the novels. We so appreciated Renae’s honesty in discussing this and no doubt someone else will resonate with it or may indeed find it helpful in their own life. The episode starts with a discussion of Rachael’s ‘Diet Coke top’ - it’s quite something, and you’ll have to watch the video version of the episode to see it! You can find that on my YouTube channel or our Substack, dearrachandsoph.substack.com *** ABOUT RENAE BLACK Renae Black lives in Queensland with her husband and two young bookworms. By day she works as a social worker within the child protection industry. By night, she escapes to the romantic fictional realms of rural Australia that transport her back to her childhood home, a large property that bred cattle and hosted the odd ostrich sale. Her latest novel is Second Chance Station. ABOUT SECOND CHANCE STATION A gritty, flirty and uplifting rural romance about taking risks, overcoming the past and standing up for the people you love. Relationships on the station are forbidden ... but are some rules made to be broken? At Windale Mountain Sheep Station there's only one rule: don't sleep with the guests. In her ten years living on the mountain, Indigo Mills has never once thought about breaking the rules. After a childhood of neglect and an adolescence that still haunts her, the opportunity to live and work on the sheep station was a lifesaver - literally - and Indy won't do anything to jeopardise her mountain family and home. That is until Carter Hendrix, the best half-back in the game of professional rugby league, turns up. The Scorpions have come to Windale for a pre-season training camp, fresh off the loss of last year's grand final - a loss Carter's teammates blame him for. Carter's plan is to keep his head down and his sponsors happy so he can continue playing the game he loves. Until he meets Indy. Now is not the time for distractions and Indy is full of reasons why they shouldn't explore their attraction: their vastly different backgrounds, their age gap, the rules. But their chemistry is impossible to ignore. Can Carter prove to Indy that he's worth the risk, or will it all be left on the mountain? For more information about Rachael Johns: https://www.rachaeljohns.com For more informationabout Sophie Green: https://sophiegreenauthor.com Subscribe on Spotify  Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  5. September 2025 new releases

    ١٧ سبتمبر

    September 2025 new releases

    These are the Australian books being released in September 2025 that we know about. There is no one central place to find out about book releases so we rely on authors reporting to us and also on the publishers who have added us to their mailing lists for advance notice of releases (as opposed to newsletters). We hope these episodes help you find a great new book! **NB: This is a Soph-alone episode**  Contemporary YA Title: Summer, in Between Author: Holly Cardamone Publisher: Hawkeye Publishing ‘Looking for Alibrandi meets Puberty Blues' Thriller/crime Title: The Vanishing Place Author: Zoe Rankin Publisher: Moa Press/Hachette ANZ and Berkley US A twisty and daring thriller about how those close to you can be even more dangerous than the deadliest wilderness. Title: The Stolen Author: Vikki Petraitis Publisher: Allen & Unwin An unputdownable crime thriller featuring Detective Antigone Pollard from the bestselling author of The Unbelieved. Title: The Farm Author: Jessica Mansour-Nahra Publisher: Hachette An eerie psychological thriller, rippling with the Gothic undertones of Rebecca, from a startling new Australian talent. The Farm enthrals from the very first page. Romantasy Title: A King's Fate Author: Anneka-Rose Burrell Genre: Epic romantasy  Self-pubbed Dual POV with a strong FMC and reluctant hero MMC Romance  Title: The Swiss Chocolatier: European Tycoons Author: Leanne Lovegrove Publisher: Indie A chance of a lifetime that could make her career. Or break her heart … General fiction Title: Very Impressive For Your Age Author: Eleanor Kirk Publisher: Allen & Unwin A profoundly relatable debut novel about chasing your dreams and losing your ambition from a stunning new Australian voice. Title: Tenderfoot Author: Toni Jordan Publisher: Hachette By the bestselling, award-winning author of Addition, an exhilarating novel about coming of age in 1970s Australia. For more information about Rachael Johns: https://www.rachaeljohns.com For more informationabout Sophie Green: https://sophiegreenauthor.com Subscribe on Spotify  Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  6. Writing, characters, pitching - we answer questions!

    ١٣ سبتمبر

    Writing, characters, pitching - we answer questions!

    When we started doing this podcast it was mainly us talking to each other. Then we started bringing guests onto the podcast and that has taken on its own life. And we certainly love talking to other writers! However, every now and again we go back to talking to each other, thanks to listener/viewer (aka ‘liewer’) Lucinda Ellen, who sent us several great questions. The questions ranged from to write opening chapters to crafting a pitch to developing characters, and some other things too.  As this was recorded a little while ago, in the introduction we talk about Rachael writing her serial Meanwhile in Mount Merry-Glen, which she’s now put on pause as she has two - two! - books to write at once. We also talk about the ergonomics of typing and how trying obey SEO rules into Sophie's country music writing made things less fun and she's abandoned it. So, liewers, it’s a mixed bag and that is the way we like it!  For more information about Rachael Johns: https://www.rachaeljohns.com For more informationabout Sophie Green: https://sophiegreenauthor.com Subscribe on Spotify  Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  7. Is there a ‘second novel syndrome’? With guests Saman Shad and Emma Pei Yin

    ٦ سبتمبر

    Is there a ‘second novel syndrome’? With guests Saman Shad and Emma Pei Yin

    Two guests join me and Rachael Johns in this episode, and they are both fabulous (you can read their bios below). Emma Pei Yin has just released her first novel, When Sleeping Women Wake, and is working on her second. Saman Shad released her second novel, The Sex Lives of Married Women, earlier this year. Something Emma said to me when we first met - about what it was like working on her second novel - sparked the idea for this episode, then Rachael saw something Saman had written on the same subject, so we decided to bring these writers together to talk about it.  A note: we recorded this episode on July the 6th, which is a day that has special significance for me - and you’re going to have to watch or listen to our intro to find out why. ABOUT OUR GUESTS Emma Pei Yin is an Australian-Hong Kong Chinese writer and editor. Her work has been featured in several publications. In 2023, she was nominated as Bookseller of the Year. That same year, her manuscript, Chasing Echoes in the Rain, was shortlisted for the Allen & Unwin Voices from the Intersection Mentorship Programme. She lives and works on Ngunnawal Country with her partner and their extremely barky dachshund, Lady. When Sleeping Women Wake is her first novel. Saman Shad is a writer, journalist, and playwright whose storytelling spans stage, screen, and page. In the UK, she was a scriptwriter for BBC Radio, and after relocating to Australia she created programs for the ABC and became a sought-after voice in journalism. Her plays have been commissioned by theatres in both London and Sydney. Her debut novel, The Matchmaker, was published by Penguin Australia in 2023. The Sex Lives of Married Women is her latest novel. For more information about Rachael Johns: https://www.rachaeljohns.com For more informationabout Sophie Green: https://sophiegreenauthor.com Subscribe on Spotify  Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  8. From marketing romance to writing romance - with guest Patrick Lenton

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    From marketing romance to writing romance - with guest Patrick Lenton

    Patrick Lenton is the author of the book of short stories A Man Made Entirely of Bats (2015), the book of comedic essays Uncle Hercules and Other Lies (2019), and the full length short story collection Sexy Tales of Paleontology (2021). His debut novel, a rom-com called In Spite of You is out now from Pantera Press. And his actual bio is a lot longer than this because he’s a very accomplished individual! Sophie first met Patrick when he was working in marketing at Momentum, which was the digital-only arm of Pan Macmillan books, publishing a lot of romance novels about a decade too early for BookTok. He has always been smart and funny, and his novel is that AND SO MUCH MORE. It is warm and sweet and, yes, spiteful in parts but in a very charming way.  We wanted to talk to Patrick about how he used to promote romance novels to the world and now he’s writing them, and we did talk about that, plus a lot more. We recorded this episode a while ago, so there’s mention of launch events that have now past, but we have left them in because everything future becomes the past, so someone watching/listening to this episode next year would have had them in the past anyway. In the intro we discuss the fact that we both read multiple books at the same time - do you? And we also talk about the Rachael Johns Online Book Club, which I encourage you to join if you’re not already a member. For more information about Rachael Johns: https://www.rachaeljohns.com For more informationabout Sophie Green: https://sophiegreenauthor.com Subscribe on Spotify  Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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مشاهدة الكل (٦٨)

حول

Bestselling Australian authors Rachael Johns (The Other Bridget, The Patterson Girls) and Sophie Green (Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society, The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle) talk about writing and books and all sorts of things - and they welcome questions from other writers and readers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Sophie Hamley
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٤ - ٢٠٢٥
  • الحلقات
    ٦٨
  • التقييم
    ملائم
  • حقوق النشر
    © Sophie Hamley
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    Dear Rach & Soph

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